Parcels to Troops should be free - MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Aug 2007

Army families should not have to pay for sending parcels to soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq says the MP for the Garrison Town of Colchester, Bob Russell.

Mr Russell, a member of the Liberal Democrat Defence Team, has taken advantage of a little used procedure to Table a Parliamentary Question even though the House of Commons is currently in Recess for the Summer.

His Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asks: "If he will make it his policy to reimburse Royal Mail to enable parcels to be posted free of charge to military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Liberal Democrat Party Leader Sir Menzies Campbell has already said "it is a national disgrace" that families are having to pay postage to get parcels to their loved ones serving overseas.

At present families have to pay a postal charge - typically around £6.50p - to send a parcel via Royal Mail to a military depot in London. The Ministry of Defence then transports the items to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Colchester is home to 16 Air Assault Brigade whose members have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Soldiers from the region, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, are currently serving in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Mr Russell is a Parliamentary Advisor to The Royal British Legion and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Last year he visited Iraq as a member of the Armed Forces Bill Committee.